2021 is already flying by - can’t believe this is our last blog post of January!

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO ANNOUNCE TEST-OPTIONAL ADMISSIONS FOR 2021-2022

Every week brings more test-optional updates, and BC, Penn, and the College of Charleston are the most recent schools to announce that their test-optional policy will continue for the Class of 2022 - phew! But this also serves as a good reminder to read the fine print - Penn, like the other Ivy League schools, has not yet decided what test requirements will be for athletes, for example. Wondering whether to submit test scores with your application? Check out our blog post from earlier this week for considerations. 

VA SCHOOLS REPORT RECORD APPLICATION NUMBERS

If you’ve been keeping up with the blog, you already know that highly selective schools have seen a huge rise in application numbers this cycle, and our local universities are no exception! William & Mary received 17,400 applications, a 23% increase over last year and the first time the school had 15,000 applicants. Virginia Tech also received a record-breaking 42,084 applications this cycle, a 36% increase over last year! We will be waiting to see whether this rise in applications drives admissions rates down at our in-state schools. 

WHAT MATTERS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS IN THIS ECONOMY

Job postings for new graduates with bachelor’s degrees fell by 40% last spring due to the COVID recession. Now that a new crop of college graduates is about to enter the job market, competition for these jobs will be even more intense. A student who is overqualified for their first job out of college is likely to still be in a job they are overqualified for after five years in the workforce, so it is more important than ever to job search carefully and network well. Our advice for all college students - yes, freshmen too! - is to get connected with your career services office early and take advantage of everything your school has to offer to help you find a career. For more career advice, I encourage you to read Jeff Selingo’s latest article, Good Jobs in Bad Times. Current college students should also check out Denison University’s Launch Lab, a cutting-edge career center that is open to all liberal arts students! 

ARE YOU A DARTMOUTH APPLICANT WITH ATHLETIC TALENT? YOU MIGHT HAVE JUST WON THE PROVERBIAL COLLEGE ADMISSIONS LOTTERY!

Are you a men’s or women’s golfer, swimmer, or diver, or a men’s lightweight rower? Did you happen to apply RD to Dartmouth? If so, you should reach out to the varsity coach for your sport immediately.

Dartmouth initially canceled their men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, and men’s lightweight rowing programs... but in a surprise turn of events, the university made an announcement today that these programs will be reinstated in the fall as a result of Title IX compliance issues.

However, as anyone familiar with athletic recruiting knows, these coaches are going to be scrambling to fill their rosters. They likely did not follow the typical recruiting schedule as they believed that the teams would no longer exist in the fall, and the application deadline has now passed. In our opinion, any RD applicants who may be able to play for one of these teams are going to go straight to the top of the institutional priority list over the next few weeks.

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

We shared this New York Times article about merit aid on Facebook this week, but it is so important it is worth sharing again! Take the time now to have an honest conversation with your 8th or 9th grader about how their high school grades will be used in the scholarship process. Talk to your student about how much you have saved for their college, what you are willing to pay, and how that will impact their school choices. It is so much better to have these conversations early, before students get their hopes up about specific schools that may just not be an option! Yes, conversations about money with your teenager may be uncomfortable, but it is important for them to know how their performance now could impact their opportunities later. If you’re looking for more guidance in strategizing with your 8th or 9th grader, book a Class of 2023-2025 Strategy Session and we can help!

A high school English teacher in Cliffside Park, NJ, had the great idea to collect student essays about their experiences with COVID-19 and publish a series of memoirs. Students were able to use the book to process the physical, mental, and emotional effects of the pandemic, and it is a great reminder to all high school students who are struggling right now that they are not alone. All the proceeds from the sale of the book will go toward a scholarship fund for the students. 

And after the memoirs, lighten the mood by sharing this “applicant’s guide” from McSweeney’s - some of these made us laugh out loud! Poor Florida State ;)

Lastly, if you are applying to college from outside the United States, check out this piece from U.S. News & World Report with a to-do list for prospective international applicants during the upcoming cycle. Perfect timing as one of our own international applicants just received his first acceptance letter yesterday!

Let me tell you - if you think we’ve had it hard here in the U.S., it’s been nothing compared to what these kids abroad have been navigating. We could not be happier for this very deserving student who will now be studying at a top school in the U.S. next year!

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

It is hard to believe how fast this year has gone, but it is already time for high school students to start thinking about their summer plans! The process is more uncertain this year than ever, so we recommend that students have a summer option they’d like to pursue if the pandemic allows, and then a backup option that would make them equally happy if COVID-19 necessitates that they choose a virtual experience this summer.

Still not sure of your summer plans? Check out our Summer 2021 Virtual Opportunities Database for some ideas! We will continue to add new in-person and virtual opportunities in the DC area and around the country on a weekly basis, so bookmark this page to stay up-to-date on all of your summer options.

Have a great weekend, and stay warm!